Oath of a Warrior

by Mary Morgan

  “Even for a prince?”

  Conn shrugged. “I’ve held back on using my royal status, unless required.”

  Rory once again looked at the cottage’s entrance. “Not once since I’ve returned has my mother said anything about Liam.”

  Conn chuckled softly. “My intuition tells me your mother knows exactly how he is doing and where. Her insight and knowledge is second only to the seer’s. Remember, she can call out to the land to find him.”

  “Then I will bide my time and pray Liam will get a fair trial, as well.”

  “I will alert you the second they release him from his Room of Reflection.”

  Rory exhaled slowly. “Thank ye.”

  ****

  Aonach Castle, Scotland, Home of the present day Dragon Knights

  As Rory stood in the shadows of the pine trees, he swept his gaze across the mist-covered hills, past the loch, and finally on Aonach Castle. Conn’s words about the young Dragon Knight unsettled him. Did they not vanquish the evil monster, Lachlan last year? If the prophecy were correct, the next battle would not be for a thousand years.

  A late autumn breeze swirled around him as he crouched down near the land. A falcon eyed him with curiosity from a nearby branch, and Rory sensed another set of eyes. The power pushed against him, but he remained steady. Was it a warning? Rory was unable to determine the source, and he stood.

  His thoughts went out at once to the Great Dragon. She acknowledged his greeting, though the energy he encountered was not hers. It belonged to another—one more powerful than his ancestors. The lad was growing.

  “Dragon Knight.” Rory acknowledged.

  “Why do ye stand in the shadows, Fenian Warrior?”

  “There is light even within the darkness.”

  “True. For those that can see the shimmer. Then there are the others who seek the solitude from the shade.”

  Startled by the conversation with Jamie within his mind, Rory emerged into the sunlight.

  “Ahh…there ye are. I will go announce your arrival to my parents.”

  The falcon swiftly took flight toward the castle, and Rory fisted his hands on his hips. Conn was indeed correct. The power that brushed against his own was near to those of the Fae. No human since the inception of the Dragon Knights had ever possessed such energy. The young lad had actually manipulated the bird to be his eyes over the land.

  With a wave of his hand, Rory vanished from his position on the hill and entered the portcullis. Striding forth, he was met by Dragon Knight, Adam MacFhearguis, Jamie’s father.

  The man held out his arm in welcome, though worry showed over his features. “Greetings, Rory. ’Tis good to see ye again. We were told of your freedom.”

  Grasping the man’s forearm, Rory frowned in confusion. “By whom? Jamie?”

  Adam chuckled and released his hold. “Nae. I dinnae reckon Jamie’s knowledge can extend into the Fae realm. Archie McKibben informed us.”

  “The Bard for the Fae always has his pulse on the realm.”

  “Aye. He keeps us informed. But what of your brother, Liam?”

  “Nothing,” Rory answered with staid calmness.

  “Let us take this conversation into the Great Hall. Meggie is preparing drink and food. She will be happy to see ye.”

  As they strode through the bailey, the power Rory had experienced earlier teased at the outer edges of his inner Fae. His steps slowed, and he turned toward Adam. “How is the young Dragon Knight?”

  Adam eyed him with curiosity, but kept on walking. “A question ye must ask him. Our son continues to grow and be trained by Archie, the Great Dragon, and me. As I am sure ye already ken, since he has spoken with ye.” He halted by the massive oak doors and waited.

  “I wish to hear your opinion.” Rory approached by his side.

  Glancing sideways, Adam replied, “The day he tried to battle my inner dragon was the moment I realized my son might require another more powerful to guide him. If ye are here to assist, we shall welcome the aid. By rights, I am the elder Dragon Knight, but at nearly five winters, Jamie speaks like an ancient.”

  Rory leaned against the door and pondered his next question. Yes, Conn had only desired Rory to observe and bring back his knowledge, but he did not like keeping Adam in the dark regarding his son. “Do ye deem it wise he should have a Fae guardian?”

  “By the saints, aye,” Adam muttered and raked a hand through his hair. “Meggie frets more over the lad, but keeps silent.”

  He straightened and placed a firm hand on Adam’s shoulder. “This is why I am here. Conn sent me to discern if there was a necessity for a guardian.”

  “Trust me, Meggie and I are unsure the path he is on. One moment, he is a lad of almost five, and the next, a Dragon Knight wielding his power of fire.”

  “Has he harmed anyone?”

  “Nae, nae. As with any power, mine included, there is a need to harness and experiment. Though, I have warned him about using his inner thoughts in our minds.”

  “His is strong.”

  “Aye. He often scares his mother by sneaking up on her and then announcing himself within her thoughts.”

  “Ye do ken, he inherited his stubborn, forceful trait from his lineage?”

  Adam wiped a hand down the back of his neck. “He is verra much like his Uncle Angus.”

  “However, the elder Dragon Knight knew how to control his Fire Dragon.”

  After nodding in agreement, Adam pushed open the doors and gestured Rory forward. “Agreed. ’Tis a shame his uncle cannae be here to help guide him.”

  Rory smiled as a seed of inspiration blossomed within his mind. “Nae. But we can always send him to Uncle Angus.”

  Adam snorted in disgust. “Meggie would surely counter the idea, especially since we have been denied the chance to journey back ourselves. The ache of losing her brothers continues to haunt her.”

  “Forgive me,” Rory apologized. “I was not aware of the circumstances at the end of the battle.”

  Pausing before the corridor, Adam cast his sight over Rory’s shoulder. “The only request the Fae accepted from Meggie was the one to spare all of your lives—Conn, Liam, and yours. We were not permitted to return home to our time.” Taking a step toward Rory, he uttered softly, “I would deem it unwise to send my son back in time to live with his uncle. If a future battle waits, he will need those here in the present to assist him. His army is growing.”

  “Army?” Rory demanded. “What are ye saying?”

  “For one, the MacKay cousins,” Meggie interrupted, stepping forth from a side passageway. “And those yet to be born.”

  Rory bowed his head. “Greetings, Margaret.”

  “Goodness, are we on formal terms, Rory MacGregor?” Her smiled disarmed him, and she extended her arms outward.

  He swept her into his embrace. “Nae, but I did not want to offend ye with our conversation.”

  Meggie drew back and studied his face. “’Tis a discussion Adam and I have constantly.” She gave her husband a small smile. “Jamie will continue to train here. Furthermore, we shall speak more later. Let us go see what my sons are up to in the Great Hall.” She linked her arm with his and moved him along the entryway.

  Adam groaned. “If the doors are closed, then Jamie is either showing him his prowess with a sword, or he’s regaling him with yet another tale of the Dragon Knights.”

  “Ye have another son?”

  Meggie paused. “Aye. Alexander Conn MacKay MacFhearguis. I’m shocked Conn did not mention the birth.”

  “As am I,” Rory drawled.

  She nudged him. “And the next two bairns will be named after ye and your brother, Liam. Apparently, Jamie acquired this information about future brothers from the Great Dragon.”

  Stunned, he asked, “But why our names?”

  Releasing her hold on him, Meggie cupped his face. “Without the help of the Fenian Warriors, none of us would be standing here today discussing our son’s future. Death’s blow and evil would
have surely claimed all of us. Our children will carry each of your names with them.”

  Emotion overtook Rory. No child of his blood would carry his name, but to know another—a future Dragon Knight would, made his heart soar. Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered, “I am honored.”

  Meggie broke free and reached for her husband’s hand. “Come help gather the food and drinks. Let Rory greet our sons alone. Besides, I believe Jamie will speak more openly without us hovering nearby.”

  Adam wrapped an arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “Sound advice, my love.”

  Rory watched them depart down the passageway with a sense of pain and loss. Their love spanned centuries and overcame death. As he stood in the half-lit corridor, he envied Adam and Meggie.

  Looking away, Rory slammed the door once again on emotions that left him dizzy with longing. For a woman that held his soul and left him without breath. Each day, each month, each year, could not wipe away the love he carried for her.

  Turning around, he pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and strode inside.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Often times, the light of wisdom from children is clouded by stubbornness.”

  ~Chronicles of the Fae

  As Rory stepped inside the hall, he halted. He listened with intent as Jamie proceeded to discuss in vivid detail the powers of his uncle, Duncan MacKay, to wee Alexander. Apparently, the younger son of Adam and Meggie had inherited the powers of the sky and storms. Jamie continued to extol accolades on Duncan, and Rory almost laughed at the absurdity. It had been Duncan’s sword that killed Meggie. Thankfully, the Guardian of the Fae realm sought justice by sending her soul forward into the future, but wiped out all of Meggie’s memories. She also was responsible for sending forth Adam to bind what had been destroyed.

  The threads of fate were snapped and then rewoven for Meggie and Adam. A bloodline divided. A new order of Dragon Knights reborn.

  But not for him and Erina. Rory exhaled softly, at least he had saved her. The oath to save her life had been rewoven, too.

  Alexander waved a fist into the air, and Jamie nodded. “Aye, they were all great knights. Did I mention I met them?”

  The wee bairn made a garbled sound from his basket on the table and Jamie chuckled. “Ye should have seen them standing before the hearth when father and mama were married. I ken one day we shall all reunite.”

  Rory frowned in concentration. Did Jamie overhear the conversation with his father? Or did he see the future—one that would require the aid of his uncles? He marveled at the young lad. He might be almost five winters, yet, Jamie’s stance, language, and height marked him much older.

  Alexander sputtered out babble. Jamie responded with a gesture and nod.

  Again, Rory watched in awe as the two Dragon Knights communicated with each other in silence and clipped words of acknowledgment. The new Order was more powerful than the Dragon Knights who adorned the tapestries. The blood of the Fae from thousands of years ago flowed more than the human within their veins.

  Rory suspected Jamie was waiting for him to utter the first word. He would not underestimate this Dragon Knight.

  He proceeded forward. “Greetings, Jamie and Alexander.”

  Both glanced his way, and their eyes blazed with that of their inner dragons. The power flickered, and then Jamie blinked. Jumping down from the table, he ran over to Rory.

  “’Tis good to see ye, Rory.” The lad hesitated briefly and then embraced him. Breaking free, he smiled fully. “Were ye listening to the tale I was telling my brother?”

  “Aye. I favor any tale where there is a mention of a Dragon Knight.”

  Jamie laughed. The sound so infectious that Rory chuckled, too. Alexander let out a screech and both turned his way. The lad was clutching a wooden sword and demanding attention.

  Rory made his way to the bairn’s side. Inclining his head, he said, “’Tis good to meet ye, Alexander. How old are ye?”

  “Ten months,” offered Jamie. He quickly stole a glance at the entrance to the hall. “I must confess, Alexander can speak, but he is choosing not to until he marks his one year birth.”

  Curious, Rory asked, “How do ye come by this knowledge? And why would he keep silent?”

  Jamie hopped onto the table and fingered Alexander’s wooden sword. “I ken how worried my parents are for me at times. I have nae desire to see my brother being fussed over by my mama or father. Alexander was speaking to me months ago. He is also good at running away.”

  Rory placed a hand on the lad’s shoulder. “Ye underestimate both your parents. Your mother lived with powerful Dragon Knights. She is married to a Dragon Knight and carries her own powers. Ye do them an injustice by not sharing your wisdom. Aye, they have concerns, but they have witnessed evil.”

  “So have I!” Jamie smacked the sword onto the table and sparks flew outward.

  Alexander bunched his fist together and thunder rolled overhead.

  With a wave of his hand, Rory pushed the threat of rain away and pointed a warning finger at both the lads. “The first lesson a Dragon Knight learns is to control the beast within. If ye surrender to the fiery temper, disaster can strike. Furthermore, ye must always respect the eldest Dragon Knight, which is your father.” He swept his gaze to Jamie. “Remember in your lessons to your brother to inform him what happened when Uncle Duncan let loose his anger. He set in motion a chain of events that were almost disastrous.”

  Jamie swallowed. “He did find redemption.”

  “But it cost him and everyone dearly. Yet, he did find love.”

  The boy narrowed his eyes. “And did ye learn your lesson?”

  Rory arched a brow in defiance of the remark, and he fought the fury surfacing. The lad might be a strong Dragon Knight, but he was nothing compared to a Fae Warrior. “Ye are not privy to that information. Until ye have experienced your own pain, do not tamper with those of another, especially a Fenian Warrior.”

  Jamie’s face transformed into one of a child once again. “Ye are correct. My apologies.” As he slid off the table, he reached for Alexander. After placing him on the ground, he took his chubby hand into his. “I reckon ’tis time we mention your ability to speak, Alexander, and that ye can walk fully on your own.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, Rory nodded in agreement. “Wise decision.”

  He watched the young lads retreat out of the hall and then turned his attention to the Dragon Knights gazing back down at him from their respective tapestries. The last time they had all been together was during the great battle against the evil druid, Lachlan. He, Liam, and Conn were instrumental in sealing the realm between time and both worlds—human and Fae. When victory was attained, they found themselves shackled and sent off to the Fae prison, otherwise known as the Room of Reflection.

  “There are no regrets, my friends. If given the chance, I would have walked into battle with ye once again.” Rory fisted a hand over his heart. “Your deeds are honored in the hallowed halls of the Fae. I salute ye—Angus, Duncan, Stephen, and Alastair.”

  “Let us not forget Adam,” declared Archie, walking up alongside him.

  Glancing at the Bard of the Fae, Rory smiled. “Never. However, Adam is here.” He gestured to the tapestries and added, “These knights have long since ventured into the land of forever.”

  Archie pointed to the fourth tapestry. “Ye were his guardian.”

  A stab of guilt plagued Rory. “Aye, but I ken there are regrets for leaving Alastair so early on his journey.”

  “If I recall, ye were ordered to do so. His path to redemption did take longer, but in the end, Alastair chose wisely.”

  “Albeit with help from the Great Dragon,” Rory added.

  “Thank Mother Danu,” muttered Archie and moved away. “When are they sending a Fae guardian for Jamie?”

  “Unsure. Though, I will make a suggestion to not wait and to appoint one now.”

  “Good.” Archie leaned against the table. “I am hap
py to see all is well with ye.”

  Rory masked his inner turmoil with deceptive calmness. “Thank ye.”

  “Your appointment to the elite branch of the Brotherhood has not been mentioned. Are ye having doubts?”

  The bard was perceptive and inquisitive. “I required time…away. When I return, I will accept the position.”

  Archie pursed his lips, and Rory deemed there was more he wished to convey.

  Both turned as Adam and Meggie came strolling into the hall, their arms laden with food and drink. Jamie and Alexander were following at a distance, as well. And Rory’s conversation with the bard would have to wait for another time.

  ****

  Rory stood on the edges of the loch, the water gently lapping at his bare feet as he stared outward. His time with the Great Dragon was one of healing, reminding him that love takes many forms. She never mentioned his broken heart. Yet, she sought to soothe the shards and to remind him that nothing is ever truly lost. The love he held for Erina would always stay with him—for all eternity.

  In addition, the time spent with Adam, Meggie, and the children was a joyous reunion. Initially, his plan was to stay for a couple days, but he enjoyed the company and remained for an entire week. When he returned, he would confess his desire to become the young Dragon Knight’s guardian. Would Conn accept? Indecision filled Rory, and he doubted his own plan. Rubbing a hand over his chin in thought, he almost missed the approaching brush of power.

  “Good afternoon, Jamie.”

  The lad moved to his side, tossing a rock into the air. “Did ye ken I can make the stone skip four times across the water?”

  “Impressive,” Rory drawled. “Is your father showing ye?”

  Tilting his head back, Jamie peered at his face, a smile tugging at the outer edges of his mouth. “Aye.”

  “How many times can your father skip the stone?”

  “He has mastered eight.”

  “Let me guess. Ye plan on surpassing that number one day?”